More in-game screenshots from the upcoming crossover strategy RPG Project X Zone 2: Brave New World have surfaced online.

From the looks of these screenshots, it's clear that the returning pair units as well as characters reassigned to new partners will have new sets of normal and special attacks. The attacks of solo units also look devastating. And while I have yet to see it in its animated glory, Jin's and Kazuya's special attack looks like the stuff of legends.

New character artworks

Also, here are the character artworks for the roster thus far. They reused the existing artworks for the returning characters, while Flynn Scifo, who didn't have an existing artwork apart from the promotional wallpaper featuring PXZ's solo units which he formerly was, now has his own new artwork.

The reason for the sequel (not that it needed any)

Famitsu interviewed the key people behind PXZ2, Bandai Namco producer Kensuke Tsukanaka, Monolith Soft development director Souichiro Morizumi and development producer Koji Ishitani. According to Morizumi, the team considered doing a sequel and played new entries of featured games after PXZ's Japanese launch in 2012. It was after their team received feedback after its western release in 2013 that they started working on Part 2.

“The Japanese fans are considered when making the sequel, but we also want to create content which makes overseas fans happy,” Tsukanaka said.

Morizumi commented that the story this time will be deeper in response to a fan opinion wanting "companions’ episodes to unfold without rushing.” Ishitani, meanwhile, commented on PXZ2's gameplay, saying that they are rebuilding the gameplay by adding new elements and improving on PXZ's in-game rules and system. We are also making the visuals of battle scenes, etc. easier to understand," Ishitani added.

Fourteen games have been revealed to be featured thus far. As far as the roster goes, Morizumi said, "the expected and the unexpected are neatly mixed."

The game is 60% complete, and is slated for a launch in the fall of this year.

The reason for the sequel has got to be because the first one was a success, obviously. And I'm more than delighted about it.

My wishlist - Part 2

They said they are rebuilding the gameplay, improving the existing system and adding new elements, so I hope the additions complement the already familiar system. Aside from gaining EXP and items after defeating enemies, I would love to see them create an in-game curency (Zenny, Gald, pesetas, dollars yen, whatever) that the characters can earn after each enemy KO's or when opening treasure chests in the map. It would also be nice if this currency, or a separate points system, is available for use to level up the units post-battle.

In my experience playing PXZ, the items I could get from KO-ing enemies lack variety and are pretty limited. That is why I would also like to see an item shop in the game where I can buy new equipment that will boost the stats of my units, items that will help them recover, and rare weapons and items that come at a price, but are worth it when used.

And if that happens, it would be awesome to see this guy running the shop.

"Got a lot of good things on sale, stranger!"

The old Namco X Capcom had character-specific themesongs for the villains during cutscenes, and it would be great to hear them in PXZ2, no matter which villains they choose to include in the game. And if they do put in the villains' themes and they included Wesker in the game, we're sure to hear a remix of his epic battle themesong, "Wind of Madness."

The developers promised an even deeper story for PXZ2, so it would be interesting to see how deep each story episode is. And while we're in the topic of stories and cutscenes, I would like to see hidden pre-fight cutscenes that can only be triggered when I choose to make certain player units attack certain enemy bosses. I think these will add a little more spice to the story experience.I've pretty much relayed the characters I would like to see in PXZ2 in my previous PXZ2-related entry, though I failed to mention one character that I think definitely has to be in the game: Bayonetta.

Bayonetta was developed by Platinum Games, and Sega is its franchise owner, so I don't think the developers of PXZ2 will have that much of a difficulty negotiating to make her appear in the game, right? PXZ proved to be the ultimate dream team in fan service, and I feel that the sequel begs to finally see an interaction between her and Devil May Cry's Dante, because I know that fans of both series see that that moment will reek of awesomeness, so I would like the developers to make it happen.

You know, it would actually be even better if we see a future crossover game featuring both of them.

But you see, the thought that a sequel to PXZ is happening is already awesome in itself. So for now, I'll just enjoy waiting for further updates until the game is released.